KCTV's investigation of JoCo DA Phill Kline

KCTV had an investigative story about JoCo District Attorney Phill Kline last night raising questions about his work schedule and whether he really lives in Johnson County. Here's a link to the piece. The station fought to get records of the courthouse's security system to see when Kline got to work and when he left. Reporters also watched the apartment he rents in Stilwell -- they say they never saw him staying there in the course of the dozen or so stakeouts they conducted.

I got a response from Brian Burgess, Kline's spokesman. (It's not his whole email because it's just too long. Even this excerpt is longer than what I like to put in a thread.)

As for the residency issue, Kline rents an apartment in Stillwell and owns a home in Topeka, as he told KCTV5. What they fail to mention is that he was born in Kansas City, Kansas, was raised in Shawnee, graduated from Shawnee Mission Northwest High School, and even represented Shawnee in the Kansas House of Representatives for eight years. He bought a house in Topeka only when he became Attorney General in 2003. With the housing market down and his daughter in high school, the Kline’s decided to get an apartment in Johnson County rather than immediately sell the house in Topeka.

KCTV5’s claim that he doesn’t spend any time there is pure nonsense.  Perhaps if they woke up a little earlier to catch him when he leaves for work, they could have done a more accurate and truthful story. 

Today on Darla Jay’s radio show, they implied that the security gate records were incomplete and inaccurate. Sam Zeff said when they asked about this, our office told them that the records were “purged” on a routine basis. They then raised questions about the missing time stamps and implied we were trying to cover something up.

Here are the facts about the security logs:

1) Channel 5 never sued the DA office for security gate records, they sued the Johnson County Sheriff and the County itself. Kline was not opposed to releasing the records but certain county officials felt it would set a bad precedent from a security standpoint to release such information. That is why KCTV5 had to sue the county (not the DA!)

2) The DA office has never handled or maintained the security gate records, that is done by the Johnson County Sheriff.

3) Any omissions, purged data, or inaccuracies are the result of how the system functions or is operated by the Johnson County Sheriff

4) Channel 5’s “number crunchers” used incomplete and inaccurate information to arrive at a “best guess” average for the time Kline works. Their number crunching is based on utterly inaccurate information. Further, I would remind people that the DA job is not strictly confined to the four walls of the DA office, so not only is the data inaccurate, it’s irrelevant.

A gob of bloggers have given their take on the report here, here, here, here, here. The Pitch's Eric Barton has an especially good post here. (Hat Tip: Thanks, kayceewolf, for pointing it out.)

Comments

[jpbikerfreak aka cartman]

The new motto of sensationalist infotainment that masquerades as news:

"My sources are unreliable, but their information is fascinating".

[Jonathan]

He left out...."P.S. SEX IS BAD!!!"

[jpbikerfreak aka cartman]

Whether you like Kline or not, jonathan, this kind of journalism is crap.

[Nick]

What KCTV does is not journalism by any definition.

[Wes S.]

Oh, this is just too freakin' petty for words.

I knew there was a good reason I skipped that "investigative special report."

[milwolf]

I live in Independence. If it was not for KLINE and INDEPENDENCE, the frauds at KCTV5
would not have anything to investigate. At least Fox4 investigated a slumlord who was harming a neighborhood!!

By the way, never believe KCTV5's polls. The disclaimer states that their polls are not scientific and are for entertainment purposes only... Just like their news !!!!

[Rhonda]

"What they fail to mention is that he was born in Kansas City, Kansas, was raised in Shawnee, graduated from Shawnee Mission Northwest High School, and even represented Shawnee in the Kansas House of Representatives for eight years. He bought a house in Topeka only when he became Attorney General in 2003."

All of this is beside the point when it comes to his residency. The fact that his spokesman feels it's necessary to throw all of this out there tells me that this residency question has some validity. Otherwise why would we need all of this justification?

[Ni]

His spokesman's response goes to show how little respect he has for the people of JC. I used to live here so I still have rights! Never mind that I'm breaking the law that I swore to uphold.

[Rhonda]

Actually, misrepresenting his residency also counts as voter fraud. I think the article said his wife registered here too. That's pretty hard to justify when their child is in school in Topeka. Is she just taking care of herself?

[JJ]

Phil Kline is a charlatan and a fraud. He was turned out by the State of Kansas voters and with some chicanery in JOCO he miraculously landed on his feet as the DA.

His tenure will be short as the JOCO voters will send him to the sidelines in the next election.

[Nick]

The fact that his spokesman feels it's necessary to throw all of this out there tells me that this residency question has some validity - Rhonda

Let me understand you. Because his spokesman responded at all, the accusations must be valid despite the obvious fact that he is paying for a residence inside the county? You're digging as much as KCTV Rhonda. ;-)

[Charcoal Briquet]

I think prior posts are correct on a couple of counts.

If they think this qualifies as "Investigative Journalism" then KCTV has some learning to do. This story makes them appear to be hacks. A county public official of this stature would reasonably seem to often have work obligations outside the courthouse, so his parking records really don't have a lot of value.

That said, the residency issue does have some meat to it. If he and the wife did file voter registration forms for an apartment he only uses as a "legal" address, while maintaining residence in another county, the term Fraud does come to mind.

I wonder where he registers his personal vehicles. Bet Shawnee and Johnson counties would like to get in a battle over who is due that property tax.

[James Hart]

The angle that I thought was most interesting about KCTV's report was the residency question. But my editor says those kinds of things are very hard to prove in court.

[sk]

I don't think that Kline is running for JoCo DA again.

[parkay]

Monday's hit piece on DA Phill Kline reeked of yellow journalism, and presented no real evidence that Kline is anything but an outstanding DA, vigorously prosecuting crime and, in particular, putting his career on the line to finally begin prosecuting covered-up abortion mill crime that has long been endangering and victimizing mothers, besides taking their hard cash for killing their chidren.
If KCTV5 is trying to do the community a service, which I seriously doubt, they should try investigating the rampant abortion mill scandals, such as filthy conditions, violations of state laws, medical regulations, personnel training and safety and equipment violations, and illegal sales of aborted baby parts. Then there's the deaths and the serious and life-threatening complications and infections from RU-486, particularly Missouri's RU-486 abortion mill. (RU-486 is ten times more dangerous than first-trimester surgical abortions, but accounts for over 10% of abortions nationwide, 20% in Iowa.) Then there's the insurance fraud in out-of-state, high-risk, post-viable, elective abortions in Tiller's Wichita abortion mill, and the fraudulent billing of taxpayers in Title X abortions.
Doesn't anyone at KCTV5 know what their job ought to be, as far as investigations that protect the public, expecially mothers in desperate situations, usually being coerced into abortion mills? Has anyone there got a heart, or is it just strictly a cash box show?

[kayceewolf]

I'm no fan of either Phill or TV-5, but I was singularly unimpressed by the story they aired last night.

The coverage of the garage records is so spotty as to be absolutely useless, yet they harped on that subject and buried the real "lead" of the story: the question about where Phill legally resides.

Even as sweeps period "investigative" stories go, the one on Kline was pretty much of a bust. Of course that didn't stop TV-5's promotions department from running all sorts of teasers about it to make it sound like Phill must have been caught in a men's room with a sheep, a pair of conjoined cheerleaders, the entire Yale rowing team and an assortment of sex toys.

Even the Pitch, which ordinarily goes after Kline like a pitbull in the throes of 'roid rage came to his defense in their blog:

http://blogs.pitch.com/plog/2007/11/defending_the_dimwit.php

[The DB]

How come when KC City Council folk get busted for living outside KC everybody is ready with the pitchforks, but when Phill "I'm not really a prosecutor, but I make a feeble attempt to play one on TV" Kline get his @ss caught not even wanting to stay in "God's country" but live back in the State Capitol, everybody calls it a hatchet job? Phill, you're not AG anymore, get over it. Quit driving by Morrison's office and get back to your storage shed in Stillwell.

[Nick]

The angle that I thought was most interesting about KCTV's report was the residency question. - James

It is a non-issue. The only things that establish residency here is to buy or rent a dwelling and accept employment.

[Scott]

Ho-hum. Who cares? What I found amusing was that KCTV showed footage of Kline speaking at a school. Maybe that's where he was during the day or evening. I absolutely refuse to believe that anyone but a telephone solicitor is in his office 90% of the time. And who was this woman who was so ominously shadowed out in order to protect her identity? It was not clear why she should be apprised of his schedule.

Finally, for the people who are hysterical over Kline's knowledge of residency requirement loopholes, where is your outrage over Hillary Clinton's much worse violation in NY years ago?

[Nick]

How come when KC City Council folk get busted for living outside KC everybody is ready with the pitchforks - The DB

That is Kansas City and Jackson County. They have a long history of preventing their employees from fleeing their tax base at all cost. They even do it to Airport employees, but they had too.
When you get right down to it. It really isn't anyone's damn business where someone resides as long as they pay their taxes and votes in only one place.
That is, unless your tax base is fleeing like the cockroaches. ;-)

[susan]

I can just imagine who wrote the emails upholding Phil Kline, and his disrespect for public office. KCTV anytime you can expose an individual in public office I applaude you, and especially any exposure of Kline. He is such a poor excuse, and embarassment for a DA, but then of course we didn't elect him to this office, and you have to give him credit...he knew better than to put his name on the ballot leaving it to the people to vote him back into office as he would never make it, so his announcement was really no surprise....I just had no idea that he posessed that amount of intelligence. Kline you are a disgrace not to mention a total joke, and you know it.

[BT]

This was a hit piece in the purest sense of the word. Absolutely disgusting, GOOD BYE KCTV!!

[The Zipper]

Typical KCTV 5 crap....anything they can do to get a story. However, MR. Kline has certainly neglected to mention that DA KLINE has been known to sacrifice small animals in his backyard. Michael Vick may be bad but DA Kline has certainly broken up a lot of squirell families. Who, may I ask, is that there to defend these small creatures?

[The Zipper]

I'm sorry....KCTV 5 has neglected to mention"

Nick, in regards to your comment about Jackson County, you should be aware that Jackson County removed its residency requirement about two years ago.

[Nick]

Anonymous,
Thanks for filling me in. I am really glad to hear that. It caused several people I used to know some very serious hardships over the years. When people make such laws they don't ever think of the consequences, but, they are many. Divorce/Child custody issues, spouse facing the same conditions in another local area.
The key is to make people want to live in your area, not shackle them under threat of termination.

[Curmudgeon]

Sorry, can't comment. Haven't watched KCTV in years (No news is...well, no news) and see no reason to start now.

[k]

The fact that KCTV5 got so many viewers last night (who are complaining on here today), is probably considered a "win" by them. They don't care if their story is accurate, they just care that you watch. I didn't watch, altho I was tempted. I did read the Pitch's comments and considered them fair. --I don't much care for Mr. Kline; but I like channel 5 less. As to residency, he's not the first politician to use a second residence as a legal address. At least he didn't gerrymander districts to get his associates elected - which I saw done a decade or so ago in Jo Co. Kline is smart like a fox, when he "retires" from public office, he'll make a fortune in speaking fees for the conservatives. He is their hero.

[J Fred]

Wow, what a load of crap from KCTV5! They obviously are showing their political and philosophical stripes by broadcasting this garbage. But that aside, it is just not investigtive or truly journalistic.

[Nick]

Kline is smart like a fox, when he "retires" from public office, he'll make a fortune in speaking fees for the conservatives.-K

Or in the greatest tradition of Kansas AG's become chief counsel for Planned Parenthood! LOL

[Sadie]

KCTV5 needs to go back to journalism school. Good grief. I am embarrassed now because people have been telling me for years how sensationalist they are and while I could see their point, I defended them. No more. I do think Katie Horner is the best meterologist in Kansas City, but KCTV5 just lost me as a viewer.

I'm not for or against Kline but as a former journalism student, I find KCTV5's "news" laughable and their means of obtaining it stalkerish. Following his 15 year old daughter to school? Following his wife? I wouldn't call these people journalists.

[Roger]

Here's the thing with Kline: He wants to take this moral highground, which is really just his idea of religion wrapped into his prosecutor duties, but he's breaking the law and promises by fabricating a home address.

Kline got caught with his hand in the jar. This story didn't come out of no where. KCTV5 got the info from someone, and as other news sources investigate, you can be assured they will find a lot about Kline.

[CJ]

KCTV SUCKS!

[CJ]

KCTV SUCKS!

[KC Brougham]

Big deal. People do it all the time to get into other school districts.

This is a non-issue.

[mighty]

I quit watching KCTV years ago when they reported the name of the hospital a woman was in after her husband had beaten the crud out of her (then he knew where to find her and finish the job). They confuse sensationalism for news.

Kline announced weeks ago that he will not run for re-election. I don't think he was truly qualified for this job anyway ... kind of like another Republican I can think of in a high office.

[Twisted]

I don't care where he lives, but I care if he's registered to vote where he does not live. Isn't it illegal to vote where you don't live? lol

[bigalsbeans]

Now for the surprise of the day- parkay defending Phill Kline! Could it be that parkay is really Kline's spokesman, Brian Burgess?

Also, the burning question of the day, how many times can parkay work the term "abortion mill" into his post? I counted five but might have missed one or two!

As for the KCTV5 story, yeah big shock that it was not really objective, that is pretty much the track record of channel 5. I did enjoy Burgess responding to the question of Kline's residence by putting out facts that answer everything but the question that he was asked (I would take that to mean he is afraid to answer the question). As to Nick's comment, so should I take that to mean that since Kline pays for his "residence" that me must live there? So if this was a story concerning Paul Morrison, would you give him the same benefit of the doubt as well?

I can't say if what KCTV5 showed regarding that residence was really truthful or not, but what if that part is true and he does not live there? For a man of supposedly strong moral convictions , not to mention being the DA of Johnson County, does it not demonstrate a complete lack of leadership by breaking the law concerning his residence? Again, not saying for sure he has done that, but if that part of the story is accurate, it sure sounds fishy as to whether he really lives there. You would also have to wonder why if he was going to get an apartment he would rent that place. Having those two (his landlords) answer questions at least gave the story some entertainment value.

[bigalsbeans]

How funny would it be if someone starts a petition to convene a grand jury to look into Phill's Stillwell residence or lack thereof?

I APPLAUD KCTV5. This is what reporting SHOULD be.

Expose Klein for what he is, a hypocrite.

KCTV5 should next investigate exactly why "certain county officials felt it would set a bad precedent from a security standpoint to release such information." Why do public officials not want their work habits known? Is it really about "security"? Sounds like they are pulling from the play book of the current presidential administration. KCTV5 didnt post the records anywhere I saw and there is supposed to be something called freedom of the press. Or did this cirrent administration secretly sign that away on a holiday weekend?

ALL public officials regardless of political affiliations are servants of tax payers and need to be held accountable to the rules and laws. The press has a right to know and a duty to inform.

It is time for Phil Klein to go.

He can join Adam Taft on the sympathy circuit together starting with Steve Kraske fawning over them on his radio program.

Also, I bet it is a pretty small apartment that rents for $400/month in JoCo.

[Nick]

As to Nick's comment, so should I take that to mean that since Kline pays for his "residence" that me must live there? So if this was a story concerning Paul Morrison, would you give him the same benefit of the doubt as well? - Bigbeans

Yes BB that is all it takes and literally thousands do it. I myself have a second home, although it sure as hell isn't in Topeka. It is a non issue that has been hashed over previously since before he was ever nominated and yes it applies to Morrison as well. If I am not mistaken he also has more than one residence.
Fortunately for all of us, it is not yet acceptable to stake out a persons house and make sure we spend the government's minimum required time inside it has been met. I am sure however that if leftists get their way it will be deemed for the greater good, eventually.
Now, if you would please stop interrupting the moonbat howl with reasonable questions, we can get back to the entertainment provided by our baby killing friends, fighting to prevent themselves from being recognized as accessories to murder. (just a little bait on the hook) ;-)

[James Hart]

Thank you, Nick. This thread has been entirely too quiet.

[Nick]

How funny would it be if someone starts a petition to convene a grand jury to look into Phill's Stillwell residence or lack thereof? - BB

What a great idea! Of course we'd all find out exactly how much support you really have. Big gamble, it's hard to appear as minions when you can't fill a page with voters. Remember, you can't include children, pets, incarcerated felons or Missouri residents.

[Nick]

Thank you, Nick. This thread has been entirely too quiet. - James

LOL No problem James. I have a vested interest in keeping them fired up. My greatest fear is that Kline will prevail and we have 45 million more predestined moonbats running around lose 10 years from now. ;-)

[Nick]

lose = loose

[dave]

A NEWS STATION IN KANSAS CITY IS RUNNING OUT OF CRAP TO TALK ABOUT! FIND OUT WHICH ONE TONIGHT AT 9!
does that explain it? it's nice to see that they've strayed away from something in my house possessing the ability to kill me but refusing to tell me while i'm watching Seinfeld.
Imagine the day when a lawyer is dishonest. What has the world come to.

[Kansas Meadowlark]

Why no report about the 911 and other police calls from KCTV scaring people?

http://www.kansasmeadowlark.com/2007/11-26/index.htm

The KCTV folks maligned this report on Darla Jaye yesterday, but the quotes in the article were directly from the terrorized woman in her 20s and are accurate.

Where's the discussion of how KCTV only mentioned charges against Kline by former employees, but not all the dismissals?

Where's the discussion of how KCTV didn't show the video of Kline saying "Stop following my daughter to school"?

Who will do the open records request and release the 911 and othe police calls caused by KCTV5's tactics?

[mojo]

why didn't they go for his ktag records?

[Roger]

Wow. A lot of Kline Kooks coming out on this thread in a storm to defend the guy's skirting of the law.

I figured it would be basically a senile relative wearing bib overalls when it came to the Kline political machine. But I guess Kline has a lot of JoCo bamboozled.

I never thought I'd say it, but damn, I'm glad I don't like in JoCo. If this is what people tolerate from their public officials, god only knows how corrupt the place is.

[Roger]

Should be "live in JoCo". Not like.